Sink lining system and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A removable protective liner has a thin sheet of non-absorbent, flexible material. The liner is used for lining the sink. A drain hole liner is formed in the thin sheet. The drain hole liner extends down from the thin sheet to cover an area of the drain hole leading down to the drain pipe. A first tab member extends from the thin sheet. The first tab member is used for covering a first area around the sink.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a protective cover and, more specifically, toan inexpensive lightweight disposable sink liner and system which isused to protect the sink, and more specifically, a hair salon sinkand/or household sink and drain, from stains which may result fromchemicals used during a hair styling process.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Different types of sink liners are well known in the art. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,800 discloses a pedicure basin liner system forpreventing transmission of pathogens between pedicure clients when usinga common pedicure basin. U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,171 discloses a removableprotective liner for use with a sink mounted in a counter top. The linerhas a bottom panel of a size conforming with the bottom of the sink,four upstanding side panels which conform with the upstanding walls ofthe sink and an adjacent portion of its peripheral flange. The sidepanels and bottom panel are adapted to conform with the configuration ofthe sink so that the liner completely covers the sink. The liner furtherincludes a side drain having an elevated outer end and a bottominterconnecting with side walls and extending from the elevated outerend to an inner end.

While the above liners do adequately work for there intended purposes,they have several problems. First, neither one of the above is designedto be used with a beauty salon sink. A beauty salon sink has a uniquedesign having a neck holding channel used to cradle the neck and lowerhead. The neck holding channel needs to be protected from the chemicalsused during the hair styling process to prevent staining of this area.Secondly, neither one of the above liners will protect the drain area ofa sink from being damaged from hair styling products. U.S. Pat. No.6,772,800 doesn't even have an opening for a drain. Another problem withthe prior art is that U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,171 discloses a multi-pieceliner made of a heavy duty material. The heavy duty material increasesthe cost on the liner. Furthermore, the liner disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,338,171 is not disposable.

Therefore, a need existed to provide an improved sink liner system. Theimproved sink liner system must overcome the problems associated withprior art sink liners. The improved sink liner system must be designedto protect a hair salon sink and drain from damages such as stainingwhich may result from chemicals used during the hair styling process.The improved sink liner system must be light weight and disposable. Theimproved sink liner system must further be inexpensive to produce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is anobject of the present invention to provide an improved sink linersystem.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedsink liner system that overcomes the problems associated with prior artsink liners.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved sink liner system that is designed to protect a hair salon sinkand/or household sink and drain from damages such as staining which mayresult from chemicals used during a hair styling process.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedsink liner system that is light weight.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedsink liner system that is light weight and disposable.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedsink liner system that is inexpensive to produce.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following, more particular,description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, asillustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a removableprotective liner for use with a sink is disclosed. The removableprotective liner has a thin sheet of non-absorbent, flexible material.The liner is used for lining the sink. A drain hole liner is formed inthe thin sheet. The drain hole liner extends down from the thin sheet tocover an area of the drain hole leading down to the drain pipe. A firsttab member extends from the thin sheet. The first tab member is used forcovering a first area around the sink.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following, more particular,description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, asillustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantagesthereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription of illustrated embodiment when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbolsrepresent like elements.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the sink liner used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of a roll of sink liners.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a first flap portion used in the sink linerdepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a second flap portion used in the sink linerdepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the sink liner depicted in FIG. 1 showing thedrain liner section.

FIG. 6 is an elevated perspective view of the drain cover used in thesink liner system of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a bottom view of the drain cover used in the sink linersystem of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an elevated perspective view of a beauty salon sink.

FIG. 8 is an elevated perspective view of a beauty salon sink with thesink liner system of the present invention installed.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the beauty salon sink with the sink linersystem depicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional exploded view of the drain liner and draincover used in the sink liner system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the drain liner and drain coverused in the sink liner system installed in a sink drain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, a sink lining system 10 is shown. The sinklining system 10 is used to protect the sink and drain area from beingstained by any type of liquid. More specifically, the sink lining system10 is used to protect a hair salon sink and drain from stains which mayresult from chemicals used during the hair styling process.

The sink lining system 10 is comprised of a disposable sink liner 12.Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the sink liner 12 is a made of a thin sheet 14of flexible material. The material needs to be semi-durable to preventtearing. The material also needs to be made out of a non-absorbentmaterial so that any liquids that may fall onto the sink liner 12 willnot be adsorbed. The material also needs to be fairly inexpensive. Ingeneral, a material such as metallized polyester film, aluminum/tinfoil, plastic wrap, or the like may be used. It should be noted that thelisting of the above is given as an example and should not be seen as tolimit the scope of the present invention.

The sink liner 12 may come in a plurality of different sizes. Ingeneral, the sink liner 12 will come in an elongated sheet 14. The sheet14 will be of sufficient size to cover the entire bowl area of a sink.When placed in a sink, the sink liner 12 will line the entire bowl areaof the sink thereby preventing any liquid from contacting the sink bowl.Thus, the sink liner 12 will prevent any liquids from staining any partof the sink.

The sink lining system 10 may come with individual sheets 14 or a rollof sheets 16. Referring specifically to FIG. 2, a roll of sheets 16 isshown. The roll 16 will have a plurality of individual sheets 14 coupledtogether. Each sheet 14 will have a perforation located along an edge ofthe sheet 14. The perforation will allow one to separate a sheet 14 froman adjoining sheet 14.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-5, each sheet 14 will have a drain holeperforation/cutout 18 (Hereinafter drain hole perforation 18). The drainhole perforation 18 will allow one to form an opening in the sheet 14 toallow a liquid to flow off the sheet 14 and down the drain. The drainhole perforation 18 will further cover the area of the drain holeleading down to the drain pipe. The drain hole perforation 18 isgenerally circular in shape.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the drainhole perforation 18 will have an outer perimeter 20. A plurality ofperforations 22 are formed from the outer perimeter 20 towards a centralarea 24. In use, one presses down on the perforations 22. The top of theperforations 22 will remain connected to the sheet 14 along the outerperimeter 20. The remainder of the perforation 22 will become separatedfrom the sheet 14 thereby forming an opening. The opening allows aliquid to flow into the drain pipe. The perforations 22 that becomeseparated from the sheet 14 are used to line the area of the drain holeleading down to the drain pipe thereby preventing this area frombecoming stained by a liquid.

The sheet 14 will have one or more flap portions 26. The flap portions26 are used to cover any exposed surfaces around the sink bowl. Inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a top flapportion 26A is used to cover a top area of the sink where the faucet andknobs are located. The top flap portion 26A will have one or more faucetperforations 28. The faucet perforations 28 will allow the top flapportion 26A to be fitted over the faucet and knobs used by the sink. Thefaucet perforations 28 are similar to that described above. When onepresses down on the faucet perforations 28, the top of the perforations28 will remain connected to the sheet 14 along the outer perimeter 29.The remainder of the perforation 28 will become separated from the sheet14 thereby forming an opening to allow the top flap portion 26A to befitted over the faucet and knobs.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a bottomflap portion 26B is used to cover a bottom area of the sink. The bottomflap portion 26B is designed to be used with a beauty salon sink. Thebottom flap portion 26B would be used to cover the neck holding channelwhich cradles the neck and lower head of a person who is having theirhair styled. The neck holding channel needs to be protected from thechemicals used during the hair styling process to prevent staining ofthis area. As can be seen in FIG. 2, if a roll of sheets 16 is provided,the flap portions 26 will be folded onto the sheet 14 and rolled up.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 6A, the sink lining system 10 will furtherhave a drain cover 30. The drain cover 30 is used to ensure that thedrain hole area leading down to the drain pipe is fully covered. Thedrain cover 30 is shaped similar to a funnel having a top opening 32 anda bottom opening 34. The drain cover 30 will fit in the drain hole areaso that the bottom opening 34 is aligned with the drain pipe whilecompletely covering the drain hole area. The perforations 22 of thedrain hole perforations 18 that become separated from the sheet 14 areused to line the drain cover 30 thereby ensuring any liquids used willflow down the drain pipe and will not stain the drain hole area.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-11, the use of the sink lining system 10 willbe discussed. The sink lining system 10 is used to prevent staining ofthe sink area 40. In operation, the drain cover 30 is placed in thedrain hole 42 of the sink area 40. The drain cover 30 is aligned so thatso that the bottom opening 34 is aligned with the drain pipe 50 whilecompletely covering the drain hole 42. A single sheet 14 is removed fromthe roll 16. If the sink area 40 has a faucet 44 and knobs 46, thefaucet perforations 28 must be broken to form openings that will allowthe top flap portion 26A to be fitted over the faucet 44 and knobs 46used by the sink. If the area around the faucet 44 and knobs 46 do notneed protection, the top flap portion 26A may be removed from the sheet14 if desired. The same is true for the bottom flap portion 26B. If thesink area 40 does not have a neck holding channel 47, the bottom flapportion 26B may be removed from the sheet 14.

The sheet 14 is then placed in the bowl 48 of the sink area 40. Thesheet 14 needs to completely cover any area in the sink bowl 48 whichneeds to be protected from stains. In order to keep the sheet 14 frommoving, an adhesive strip 50 may be placed on the bottom surface of thesheet 14. As may be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the adhesive strip 50 isplaced around the outer perimeter of the sheet 14. Once the sheet 14 isproperly placed around the sink area, one must press down on the sheet14 to ensure that the adhesive strip 50 firmly holds the sheet 14 inplace.

Once in position, one presses down on the perforations 22 of the drainhole perforation 18. The top of the perforations 22 will remainconnected to the sheet 14 along the outer perimeter 20. The remainder ofthe perforation 22 will become separated from the sheet 14 as shown inFIG. 5 thereby forming an opening to allow a liquid to flow into thedrain pipe. The perforations 22 that become separated from the sheet 14are used to line the drain cover 30 as shown in FIG. 11 therebypreventing the drain area from becoming stained by a liquid.

Alternatively, if the drain hole perforation 18 is a cut-out, one willremove the drain hole perforation 18 from the sheet 14. The openingformed in the sheet 14 allows materials to flow off of the sheet 14 intothe drain.

After one is done using the sink area 40, the sheet 14 may be removedfrom the sink bowl 48. The sheet 14 may then be discarded and thrownaway. The drain cover 30 is removed and kept for further use. When oneneeds to protect the sink area 40 again, another sheet 14 is then placedover the sink bowl 48.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

1. A removable protective liner for use with a sink comprising: a thinsheet of non-absorbent, flexible material, for lining the sink; a drainhole liner formed in the thin sheet, the drain hole liner extending downfrom the thin sheet to cover an area of the drain hole leading down tothe drain pipe; and a first tab member extending from the thin sheet forcovering a first area around the sink.
 2. A removable protective linerfor use with a sink in accordance with claim 1 further comprising asecond tab member for covering a second area around the sink.
 3. Aremovable protective liner for use with a sink in accordance with claim1 further comprising a drain hole cover to be placed in a drain holearea of the sink, a bottom opening in the drain hole cover aligned withthe drain pipe.
 4. A removable protective liner for use with a sink inaccordance with claim 3 wherein the drain hole cover is conical inshape.
 5. A removable protective liner for use with a sink in accordancewith claim 1 wherein the drain hole liner comprises a plurality of drainhole perforations, the plurality of perforations running from have anouter perimeter towards a central area of the thin sheet, whereinapplying pressure to the plurality of perforations will cause the drainhole liner to extend down from the thin sheet to cover an area of thedrain hole leading down to the drain pipe.
 6. A removable protectiveliner for use with a sink in accordance with claim 1 wherein the drainhole liner comprises a circular cut-out.
 7. A removable protective linerfor use with a sink comprising: a thin sheet of non-absorbent, flexiblematerial, for lining the sink; a drain hole liner formed in the thinsheet, the drain hole liner extending down from the thin sheet to coveran area of the drain hole leading down to the drain pipe; a first tabmember extending from the thin sheet for covering a faucet area of thesink; and a second tab member for covering a neck rest support of thesink.
 8. A removable protective liner for use with a sink in accordancewith claim 7 further comprising a drain hole cover to be placed in adrain hole area of the sink, a bottom opening in the drain hole coveraligned with the drain pipe.
 9. A removable protective liner for usewith a sink in accordance with claim 7 wherein the drain hole linercomprises a plurality of drain hole perforations, the plurality ofperforations running from have an outer perimeter towards a central areaof the thin sheet, wherein applying pressure to the plurality ofperforations will cause the drain hole liner to extend down from thethin sheet to cover an area of the drain hole leading down to the drainpipe.
 10. A removable protective liner for use with a sink in accordancewith claim 7 wherein the drain hole liner comprises a circular cut-out.11. A removable protective liner for use with a sink in accordance withclaim 7 wherein the first tab member has a plurality of faucet holeperforations to allow the first flap portion to be fitted over thefaucet.
 12. A removable protective liner for use with a sink inaccordance with claim 11 wherein the first tab member has a plurality ofknob hole perforations to allow the first flap portion to be fitted overknobs of the faucet.
 13. A removable protective liner for use with asink in accordance with claim 7 wherein the thin sheet of non-absorbent,flexible material, for lining the sink is one of: metallized polyesterfilm, aluminum foil, tin foil, plastic wrap, or the like.
 14. Aremovable protective liner for use with a sink in accordance with claim7 wherein the thin sheet of non-absorbent, flexible material, for liningthe sink comprises a plurality of thin sheets coupled togther to form aroll, wherein each thin sheet will have a perforation located along anedge of the thin sheet to separate the thin sheet from an adjoining thinsheet.
 15. A removable protective liner for use with a sink comprising:a thin sheet of non-absorbent, flexible material, for lining the sink; afirst tab member extending from the thin sheet for covering a faucetarea of the sink; a second tab member for covering a neck rest supportof the sink; a drain hole cover to be placed in a drain hole area of thesink, a bottom opening in the drain hole cover aligned with the drainpipe; and a drain hole liner formed in the thin sheet, the drain holeliner extending down from the thin sheet to cover an area of the drainhole cover.
 16. A removable protective liner for use with a sink inaccordance with claim 15 wherein the drain hole liner comprises aplurality of drain hole perforations, the plurality of perforationsrunning from have an outer perimeter towards a central area of the thinsheet, wherein applying pressure to the plurality of perforations willcause the drain hole liner to extend down from the thin sheet to coveran area of the drain hole cover.
 17. A removable protective liner foruse with a sink in accordance with claim 15 wherein the first tab memberhas a plurality of faucet hole perforations to allow the first flapportion to be fitted over the faucet.
 18. A removable protective linerfor use with a sink in accordance with claim 15 wherein the first tabmember has a plurality of knob hole perforations to allow the first flapportion to be fitted over knobs of the faucet.
 19. A removableprotective liner for use with a sink in accordance with claim 15 whereinthe thin sheet of non-absorbent, flexible material, for lining the sinkis one of: metalized polyester film, aluminum foil, tin foil, plasticwrap, or the like.
 20. A removable protective liner for use with a sinkin accordance with claim 15 wherein the thin sheet of non-absorbent,flexible material, for lining the sink comprises a plurality of thinsheets coupled togther to form a roll, wherein each thin sheet will havea perforation located along an edge of the thin sheet to separate thethin sheet from an adjoining thin sheet.